title: Learning from errors in radiology to improve patient safety.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the views and practices of trainees and consultant radiologists about error reporting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Radiology trainees and consultant radiologists in four tertiary care hospitals in Karachi approached in the second quarter of 2011.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were enquired as to their grade, sub-specialty interest, whether they kept a record/log of their errors (defined as a mistake that has management implications for the patient), number of errors they made in the last 12 months and the predominant type of error. They were also asked about the details of their department error meetings. All duly completed questionnaires were included in the study while the ones with incomplete information were excluded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 100 radiologists participated in the survey. Of them, 34 were consultants and 66 were trainees. They had a wide range of sub-specialty interest like CT, Ultrasound, etc. Out of the 100 responders, 49 kept a personal record/log of their errors. In response to the recall of approximate errors they made in the last 12 months, 73 (73%) of participants recorded a varied response with 1 - 5 errors mentioned by majority i.e. 47 (64.5%). Most of the radiologists (97%) claimed receiving information about their errors through multiple sources like morbidity/mortality meetings, patients' follow-up, through colleagues and consultants. Perceptual error 66 (66%) were the predominant error type reported. Regular occurrence of error meetings and attending three or more error meetings in the last 12 months was reported by 35% participants. Majority among these described the atmosphere of these error meetings as informative and comfortable (n = 22, 62.8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is of utmost importance to develop a culture of learning from mistakes by conducting error meetings and improving the process of recording and addressing errors to enhance patient safety.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi.
authors.forename: Shaista Afzal
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Saeed
authors.forename: Imrana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Masroor
authors.forename: Gulnaz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shafqat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D061214:Patient Safety; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D011871:Radiology / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure